Hair Extensions 101 The Ultimate Guide

How to Start Using Hair Extensions Wisely

Maybe you want to experiment with a new look. Maybe you want to give your hair a rest. Maybe your hair is thinning and you want to give it a little extra oomph. Maybe you like flinging hair over your shoulders every once in a while. Why not? Go for it!

You’ll be in good company. Celebrities of almost every stripe all have experimented with hair extensions, weaves and wigs of all sorts. Long, thick, luscious hair is in. . . Women of all races and all hair types are demanding hair that’s long, longer, longest and thick, thicker, thickest. It doesn’t mean that they’re trying to be something they’re not. They just like having options. Like a hairbrush or a blow-dryer, weaves, wigs and extensions can be useful styling tools. A little artificial hair can let you try on a new look. If your hair is fragile, wearing a weave can protect it for awhile. It can give your locks some much-needed volume.

There are so many options available now regarding cost and lifestyle, such as clip-in or tape-in extensions, heated seal applications, and/or bead attachments. . . all providing different effects, longevity and costs.

If you’re going to fake it, you’ve got to do it right. And doing it right means, above all, making sure that your natural hair is kept clean, conditioned and stress-free. So before you reach for that plug of hair, make sure that you do your homework. Read on, and I’ll tell you everything you need to know about hair extensions.

Clip-In Hair Extensions

Clip-in hair extensions just keep becoming more and more popular because of their ease and versatility. With clip-in hair extensions you can add hair just for one night, or add in a strand or two of a contrasting color just for fun. Clip-in hair extensions offer length and thickness those other types of hair extensions offer, but without the commitment of both money and time.

You can expect to pay around $100 for full clip-in hair extensions like Jessica Simpson and Ken Paves line called, HairDo. If you simply want to add in a strand or two of color, expect to pay about $10-$30 per color strand. Also, keep in mind that these prices are for synthetic hair extensions, which cannot be styled with heated styling tools or colored. For clip-in human hair extensions, expect to pay twice as much, if not more.

I recommend clip-in hair extensions to my clients who want longer, thicker hair for just one night or for occasional use. We get lots of requests for clip-in hair extensions at the shop just before prom. Clip-in hair extensions are ideal for creating new do’s for prom or anytime. They are affordable, easy to work with and can be used over and over again . . . that’s why they are my favorite!

Weave-In Hair Extensions

Weave-in hair extensions are most popular in the African-American community. Weave-in hair extensions have been around for such a long time. The way hair extensions are weaved in is that a portion or all of your natural hair is braided up and then a hair net is placed over the braided hair. The human hair is then weaved into or sewn into the braids or the hair net. This gives someone who doesn’t have ideal hair naturally the opportunity to have the illusion of long, thick, silky hair.

Weave-in hair extensions vary so greatly in prices depending on the cost of the hair, how much hair you are using and the cost that the hairdresser charges you for the service. They can run from the high hundreds to even a few thousand dollars!

Fusion Hair Extensions

This video helps to explain the fusion hair extension technique. This is a natural looking style using human hair extensions. Bonded to your natural hair, these human hair extensions are bonded with a wax based bond. The benefits of these extensions are that they are virtually undetectable. You can’t see where they are attached and they blend well with your own hair. Fusion hair extensions are quite costly and can cost upwards of $650. However, these extensions last about 3-4 months, so the cost might be well worth it for some.

Handle With Care

It’s important to know how to care for your investment, here are some helpful tips to help you accomplish that goal.

Don’t Shampoo as often ~~ No massaging at the scalp. Instead, glide your fingers over the scalp gently. You can use conditioner, but only through the ends and not where they extension has been attached. Skip a day of wet shampooing and use a dry shampoo in between.

Use Conditioner Carefully ~~ Conditioners should never be sprayed near the attachment such as the scalp area because it can loosen it. Try Simply Smooth Keratin Replenishing Magic Potion to maintain the quality of the hair extensions. At night, put your hair into a loose braid so it doesn’t tangle.

Comb and Brush With Care ~~ I recommend picking up the hair in your hands into a ponytail and comb from the bottom up. . . never combing at the scalp area.

Blow Dry With Ease ~~ Use only boar-bristle brushes as they are more gentle.

Watch The Heat When Flat Ironing ~~ Be sure not to have the temperature too high. I suggest 375 degrees . . . depending upon the hair texture.